CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A piece – er, make that a lot of pieces – of Old Cleveland is set to go public. Judd’s City Tavern, a much-anticipated corner bar on the West Side, will open on Friday.

Located in an 80-year-old building that has played home to a number of joints -- Triggers, Mariell’s and J & K Lounge -- the space sat empty for almost eight years. It occasionally operated as a private club house for owner Chuck Judd, a Cleveland police officer.

Photos and text by John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

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John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Classic Cleveland memorabilia

Soon enough, the public will be welcome at Judd’s -- which looks like something from another time, buried like some time capsule in the 20th century. From the walls to the bar to the ceiling, it’s a treasure trove of vintage Cleveland and bar memorabilia.

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John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Time stands still

Eagle Stamps clocks were popular between the 1940s and 1960s and is considered a very collectible slice of vintage Americana. This one is but one of many artifacts from the past hanging at Judd's City Tavern, which will open this week.

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John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Endless memories

You could go on and on casing the walls at Judd’s, located at 10323 Madison Avenue.

The bar will eventually serve food, around Memorial Weekend. But it will go slowly at first – “no bells, no whistle and very little fanfare,” says David Hridel, who is overseeing the bar and operations.

“Once we get closer to opening the kitchen we will be adding days, extending hours, and adding staff,” adds Hridel, a veteran of the Cleveland bar scene and an ace bartender who’s worked at Fulton Café, Lava Lounge, Spice, Flying Fig, ABC, Greenhouse and Arcadian.

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John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

1966 Cleveland Browns

Check out the 1966 Cleveland Browns schedule – brought to you by Schmidt’s beer -- in the men’s room.